Biofilm and Antimicrobial Testing

iFyber provides a suite of biofilm and antimicrobial susceptibility tests to verify the efficacy of antimicrobial medical devices and drugs. These include but are not limited to, antimicrobial dressings, bio-engineered tissue products, biomaterials, bioactive dressings, and novel anti-infectives.

Biofilms are complex communities of microbes protected within a matrix of sugars, proteins, and extracellular DNA. Compared to free-floating (planktonic) forms of bacteria, biofilm-associated bacteria are much more difficult to kill due in large part to the presence of this protective matrix and a reduction of metabolic activity. These characteristics, in addition to their tolerance to antibiotics, make biofilms significantly more difficult to prevent and remove. Biofilms have been demonstrated to form on a range of surfaces, including medical devices and human tissue systems. Additionally, research has shown that between 60 to 90% of chronic wounds are associated with biofilms, which can further compromise wound healing and closure, and delay patient recovery.

iFyber offers a menu of biofilm tests and assays that assess biofilm prevention and dispersal efficacy. iFyber can also develop custom biofilm test models which are used in the development of technologies to combat resistant biofilm infections and can be tailored to evaluate technologies in a way that meets the client’s objective.

In addition to the standard and custom biofilm testing program, iFyber also offers a host of antimicrobial susceptibility testing options for planktonic (free-floating) bacteria. Biofilms continuously shed planktonic bacteria that can disperse and attach to other areas of the wound, potentially forming new biofilms. By taking a multi-method biofilm testing approach, treatments can be evaluated for their ability to both prevent the formation of biofilms and eradicate existing biofilms.

Standard Biofilm & Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Services

Why Include Biofilm Susceptibility Testing?

Biofilms pose a major clinical threat. Current estimates from the US National Institutes of Health suggest biofilms account for over 80% of all microbial infections. Given the relatively recent understanding of biofilms, biofilm testing is becoming an increasingly common addition to the screening profile of new antimicrobial technologies.

Ex Vivo Porcine Dermal Model for Mature Biofilm

Minimum Biofilm Eradication (MBEC) Assay

Microwell Biofilm Susceptibility Assays

Histology & Imaging Services

As a complement to our antimicrobial offerings, iFyber routinely performs histological analyses and microscopy techniques for evaluating biofilm prevention and eradication using our ex vivo model of mature biofilm. Visualization of bacteria can be performed through LIVE/DEAD staining or fluorescence or luminescence (e.g., bacterial GFP or luciferase [lux] reporter systems). These techniques allow for qualitative visual evidence of the effects of anti-biofilm treatments on the structure and morphology of underlying tissues and the prevention or eradication of infiltrating biofilm. Data derived from these models can aid the development of effective device- and drug-based wound care treatments.

Learn more about iFyber's Histology and Imaging offerings.